James archibald



(N0 Model.)

J. AROHIBAL-D. PUZZLE No. 603,217 Patented Apr. 26, 1898.

ail:

UNITED STATES? PATENT- OFFICE.

JAMES ARQHIBALD, 0F BUCKIE, SCOTLAND.

PUZZLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 603,217, dated April 26, 1898.

Application filed November 14, 1896. Renewed December 3, 1897. Serial No. 660,694:- (No model.) Patented in England October 1'7,1896,No. 23,090.

and Ireland, residing at West Church street,

Buckie, Scotland, have invented a certain new or Improved Ball-Puzzle, (for which I have obtain ed Letters Patent in England, No. 23,090,

datedOctober-lfi, 1896,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention'relates to a new or improved ball-puzzle, and has for its object to provide a puzzle of this description which will give considerable amusement.

This puzzle is intended to represent, on a small scale, the game of foot-ball, the object'- being to cause a small ball to run past various obstacles corresponding to the men and (ii-- visions of a foot-ball field.

In carrying out my invention I propose to employa box, preferably of rectangular form and with a glass cover. The bottom of this box is beveled at the edges, the central portion being raised some distance above the extreme edge, so as to'form a channel extending around the box. The box is provided with a number of divisions, preferably consisting of small ribs or ridges on the bottom, separating the box into a number of parts in which balls are placed. These balls are intended to represent the players in the game of foot-ball, being divided into goal-keeper, backs,

three-quarter backs, or half-backs, and

forwards.

The goal consists of a small cavity or depression, in front of which a ball representing the goal-keeper is placed. These balls cannot move out of their respective divisions, and to prevent them falling into the channels at the sides ribs corresponding to the ropes or boundary of a field are placed at the top of the box sufficiently deep to retain these balls. Besides these balls, which always remain in their respective divisions, a smaller ball is employed, which is free to travel to any part of the box and to pass under the ridges placed at the top of the box. Theobject of the puzzle is to cause the small ball to pass from one end of the box through all the divisions and past all the other balls which obstruct its passage until it reaches the goal at the other end. I

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to the clearly in Fig. 2, with the sloping or beveled edges a,extending completely around the box,

- excepting at the part serving as a goal. The

edges of the raised or central part of the base are preferably formed with a small vertical ridge, excepting in front ofthe goal, and at the other end the sloping or beveled portion starting a short distance below the level surface. The base is provided with the divisions B, three in number, preferably extending from the center at an angle to each side. These ridges,which preferably extend only a short distance from the base, separate the latter into four divisions, serving to receive the balls 0, two'of these being placed in the frontdivision, representing forwards, three in each of the two central divisions, and three in the rear, one of the latter serving as goal-keeper. The two backs are each held in a corner by the small extensions 13 on the rear division B and the ridges B placed in front of the goal D and serving to retain the goal-keeper. The goal consists of a small chamber or recess at a lower level than the base and separated from the channel extending around the sides of the box formed by the sloping edges. To prevent the balls C falling into the sidechannels, the ribs E are provided, consisting of small metal strips preferably bent down at each side and secured to the sides or bottom of the box. These strips or ridges extend across the top of the box immediately under the glass and are-of sufficient depth to prevent the balls 0 passing them, keeping the balls in their respective compartments. The ball F, of smaller diameter than the others, represents the foot-ball and is capable of passing under the strips E, so as to enter the chambers. The dividing-ridges B do not extend to the edge of the base, a small space being allowed at their extremities sufficiently large to permit of the ball F passing without falling into the "channel at the side if moved carefully. To increase the difliculty of the puzzle, the small ridges b are placed at the sides and have to be passed by the ball F after it has succeeded in reaching the ends of the main strips or divisions. The central ribs 1) and b are also provided behind the two front ribs B. On attempting to move the small ballF past the divisions and from one compartment to another the balls C also move and roll into the corners, so as to obstruct the passages. To get the small ball past the various obstacles the box has to be tilted and shaken in such a manner that the large balls are removed away from the passages, the small one at the same time passing them. As the ball F is free to drop into the side channels great care must be exercised to prevent this, the game having to be recommenced when this occurs. O11 reaching the last division the ball has to pass through the narrow opening behind which the goal-keeper is placed, just enough room being left for it to pass this obstruction, the goal being then reached unless the ball is allowed to drop into the side channels which extend to the edge of the goal. As all the balls can roll freely in their respective divisions considerable variety is given to the operation of the puzzle.

In the ordinary game of foot-ball two teams of equal strength play against each other, and it will be seen that in this puzzle or game the player represents the opposing team, having as his opponents the eleven balls.

\Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an improved ball-puzzle the combination with a box, a raised base in the said box forming channels at the sides, and a chamber serving as a goal, of divisions on the said base forming a number of compartments, ribs at the top and sides of the box protecting the side channels, balls placed within the compartments and free to roll within their respective divisions, and a small ball free to pass from one compartment to the other and to reach the goal, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. In a ball-puzzle the combination with a box side channels in the said box formed by a raised bottom and a chamber serving as a goal, of divisions on the said base or bottom separating the box into four main compartments communicating at each end side ribs or strips at the top of the box protecting the side channels, balls placed in the compartments and free to move within their respective limits, and a small ball free to pass from one chamber to the other and to reach the goal substantially as and for the purposes specified. I

3. In an improved ball-puzzle the combination with the base A, sloping or beveled edges a, and chamber D serving as a goal, of the main divisions 13, B, and B on the said base and the smaller divisions b, b, and b the balls 0 placed in the compartments formed by the divisions the side strips or ridges E and the ball F free to pass from one compartment to the other, substantially as described and shown and for the purposes specified.

In witness whereof I have set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES ARCI'IIBALD.

In presence of- ALBERT EDWARD ELLEN, WILLIAM JAMES BULGIN. 

